Mayon Volcano logged 133 rockfalls, 37 PDCs in past 24 hours —PHIVOLCS

A total of 133 rockfall events have been recorded in the past 24 hours as Alert Level 3 is maintained over Mayon Volcano in Albay, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said.

From 12 a.m. on Sunday to 12 a.m. on Monday, PHIVOLCS added that 37 pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) have been observed in the volcano.

PDCs are mixtures of fragmented volcanic particles (pyroclastics), hot gases, and ashes that rush down the volcanic slopes or rapidly outward from a source vent at high speeds, PHIVOLCS said.

In posts on its social media accounts, PHIVOLCS shared the video of the PDC or uson descending the Basud Gully at 1:19 a.m. of Monday, January 12.

One ongoing weak tremor was also recorded. The volcano’s edifice was still inflated.

A fair crater glow on the volcano was also visible to the naked eye. 

Mayon Volcano emitted 526 tonnes of sulfur dioxide gases on January 11, according to PHIVOLCS. 

A moderate plume rose up to 800 meters above the crater of the volcano and drifted east-southeast, southeast, and northeast.

Under Alert Level 3, the volcano shows an intensified unrest or magmatic unrest.

Authorities strictly prohibit entry into the six-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ) and warn against unnecessary activity in the extended danger zone (EDZ).

Flying any aircraft close to the volcano is also prohibited due to potential ash and ballistic hazards.

Mayon could generate rockfalls or landslides or avalanches; ballistic fragments; lava flows and lava fountaining; pyroclastic density currents; moderate-sized explosions; and lahars during heavy and prolonged rainfall.—AOL, GMA Integrated News